Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - are you pavement's *****?

I love my track bike. I surely do. It is a fast, beautiful steed...but I have a major psychological block. Knowing that my pride and joy is limited to the domain of one of man's foulest creations; pavement.

Call me hippie if you want, but I'm sick of open spaces turning into parking lots and freeways, thus I am building a fixed-all-rounder/tourer, based on a cross-check frameset. Does anyone else roll this way?

I feel like there's so much going on at the poles (track and ATB) with fixed gear, and not much middle ground.

i'm currently building up a 26" wheel dirtjump frame to try and recapture my BMX roots. i spent most of yesterday evening watching le Tour and reading old issues of BMX Action.

i'm looking to build a cross bike and start racing this winter. (i also run, and i almost never run on pavement anymore; i much prefer trails.)

I think there's more going on in the middle than you might realize, people just aren't talking about it.

As for me personally, my fixed rides are track, classic tri, and mtb, so nothing that really fits into the CX or touring category. On the other hand, all I need to do is swap out my knobby offroad tires for some more modest Town & Country's and perhaps replace my riser bar with a set of drops and I've got something that's pretty comparable.

The modern mountain bike frame is a remarkably versatile platform, well suited to a wide variet of conditions and riding styles. Then again, so is CX. There's a lot of overlap there.

Are You Pavement's B1tch?

Well, I do like to bike down Shady Lane.

/ducks

Well, I do like to bike down Shady Lane.

/ducks

beppe - fyi, I can't speak for anyone else, but I get the joke. thought you'd appreciate some positive reinforcement. I know I crave it a little when I make moderately obscure references in my jokes.

j

Not entirely it's *****, but I don't get onto any singletrack or anything. But if the people I'm riding with head down some ped path that's dirt or mud or something, I'll follow on my track bike. I'll also cut across fields and stuff. But I do need to get myself a MTB, which may or may not have gears...

beppe - fyi, I can't speak for anyone else, but I get the joke. thought you'd appreciate some positive reinforcement. I know I crave it a little when I make moderately obscure references in my jokes.Same...

I'm thinking my next bike is either going to be a roadie or a single speed mountain bike. I know that those two things are basically the exact opposite of each other.

I love my track bike. I surely do. It is a fast, beautiful steed...but I have a major psychological block. Knowing that my pride and joy is limited to the domain of one of man's foulest creations; pavement.

Call me hippie if you want, but I'm sick of open spaces turning into parking lots and freeways, thus I am building a fixed-all-rounder/tourer, based on a cross-check frameset. Does anyone else roll this way?

I feel like there's so much going on at the poles (track and ATB) with fixed gear, and not much middle ground.

My freakish little red bike is the ideal city bike for me. Big fat 26" slicks, cantis front and rear, nice wide riser bars, and a fixed gear in the mid sixties.

I ride a fixed Crosscheck with 38c Interwolf tires, and while I rarely take it on singletrack, I think it's perfect for touring-style stuff. I ride a lot on the canal paths around here, and many of them are like rail-trails type dirt paths. Many of them are bumpier and gnarlier than that as well. And others are paved, and the Interwolfs seem to handle that just fine.

Check out Matt Chester's site or google Rudi Nadler. Those guys know what they're doing with fixed gear bikes offroad.

Right now my favorite bike has 700x37 tires and flatbars. I love to ride it over rough stuff when ever possible. The thing is, Chicago is way too big. You can ride out of Minneapolis and be surrounded by trees pretty easily, but try that around here. I hate it. I like living in the city and all, but 360 degree pavement is depressing. Right now I MTB in the forest preserve every weekend, but that is not enough. I gotta do some long rides this summer...

I feel like there's so much going on at the poles (track and ATB) with fixed gear, and not much middle ground.

I've been enjoying the fast smooth ride of my fixed gear, partly due to the stark contrast to my other, previously only bike, a 21spd MTB used for city and cargo cycling. But i'm fast realizing the limitations of the fixie's 25mm tires, thanks to the the crumbling road surfaces in Oakland. I've gotten much better at zipping around potholes that I used to just crash over/through, but there are a lot of them. Some roads feel more like obstacle courses.

Meanwhile the MTB has lost 14 speeds and 10mm of crank length, and there are some more changes in its future. I can see where both of these bikes will begin to resemble one another, or at least resemble jim-bob's bike(s).

My sense is that with the coming fuel shock, roads are going to crumble even more than they have recently, as support dwindles for our unsustainable infrastructure. Wider, toothier tires will come in handy, as will simple, easy-to-maintain bicycles.

In other words. Heavy-duty fixed gears are the bicycles of the future.

Fixed gear, skinny tires and gravel? Sweeeeeet. Take that one rails-trails route west to hopkins and Minnetonka where it turns into some crushed limestone. It's heavenly. Just get ready to politely encounter families riding their bikes.

It's really nice seeing Ma and pa with some kids out riding around together. Makes you glad they don't spend all their time hangin' out in SUV's.

w00t! I already got it covered: (clicky to make biggy)

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/7320/p10100040um.th.jpg (http://img172.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p10100040um.jpg)


If you convert a old touring frame to fixed, you can use it for fixed around town and touring as well, understand?

44x18, QR rear, 27x1-1/4" touring tires. Sweet.

Pic is from last week's escapade.

right on BF. thats exactly the type of bike i've been digging lately. moreso than the fancy pants track bikes even (most of the time).

in fact, my favorite bike of all, lately...

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/e/laumb1.jpg

FGG #1053. lovely.

or this one...

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/july/BillBurns.htm

silly tires

i shoulda mentioned...my fast/smooth/lightweight fixie is a converted trek touring bike. seems like a racing bike to me after all these years! anyway, great road feel, and i've been thinking about...just touring with it.

or this one...

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/july/BillBurns.htm

silly tires

speedblends, stem height, frame pump, non aero brake levers, noodle bars, saddle bag... *cough* heavily influenced by the rivendell cult *cough*

or this one...

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/july/BillBurns.htm

silly tires

those tires make me want to vomit blood all over the rider. seriously. If i saw him, i'd probably try and punch him in the face. i'm under a lot of stress lately.

edit-- the brake cable looks like it was run by a mentally handicapped monkey. looking at it makes me want to go WHEEEEEEEEEEEE. take off th pedals and saddle and throw the rest of the bike in the street.

double edit -- i could fold that chainring in half by looking at it. Have fun on your first skid when it tacos into your calf, or better yet your achilles.

Jesus. I just liked that it was touring-friendly. is there something wrong with frame pumps?

ok, attempting to redeem myself/etc

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/july/AllenLane.htm

ok, attempting to redeem myself/etc

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/july/AllenLane.htm

Awfully clean bike considering the apparent locale. Must have carried up a bunch of hand towels with him or something.

Really, that bike just looks like it should be covered in mud and dirt...

ok, wait, lemme go find another...um...uh...never mind.

Awfully clean bike considering the apparent locale. Must have carried up a bunch of hand towels with him or something.

Really, that bike just looks like it should be covered in mud and dirt...

I think it's actually one of those fake backgrounds like at a photo studio.

I am proud to be pavement's *****. City riding is what I love most.

is there something wrong with frame pumps?

nope, just people...

baker

Jesus. I just liked that it was touring-friendly. is there something wrong with frame pumps?

Not as long as they're zefal hpx. Silcas blow.

I am proud to be pavement's *****. City riding is what I love most.


agreed

agreed

seconded, or thirded, or whatever. nothing is better than riding in the city, especially at night, or in traffic...or at night in traffic.

seconded, or thirded, or whatever. nothing is better than riding in the city, especially at night, or in traffic...or at night in traffic.


that is truly what its all about

speedblends, stem height, frame pump, non aero brake levers, noodle bars, saddle bag... *cough* heavily influenced by the rivendell cult *cough*



*cough* takes *cough*


one...uh...to...ahem...ah...





*cough*






know one.

i've been had, haven't i? blast! this calls for a bit of redemption...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/crustandcrumb/3R.jpg

I love my track bike. I surely do. It is a fast, beautiful steed...but I have a major psychological block. Knowing that my pride and joy is limited to the domain of one of man's foulest creations; pavement.

Call me hippie if you want, but I'm sick of open spaces turning into parking lots and freeways, thus I am building a fixed-all-rounder/tourer, based on a cross-check frameset. Does anyone else roll this way?

I feel like there's so much going on at the poles (track and ATB) with fixed gear, and not much middle ground.

The orange Nishiki fixe is a former touring bike. The pics in the FGG (see link in my signature) don't do justice to its true level of "middle" uncool. Not only does it have brakes and 25c tires, I now ride it with fenders.

i've been had, haven't i? blast! this calls for a bit of redemption...

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a150/crustandcrumb/3R.jpg

is that your bike or yellow jersey's?

not mine, not yellow jersey's either ~ "$SOLD" (and for quite a hefty price tag, one would imagine).

ok, attempting to redeem myself/etc

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/july/AllenLane.htm


Surly Steamrollers are just asking for fat tires.

I like this bike a lot:

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/june/GaryHSRossmiller.htm

Adventure funbike > Track fetishism

Adventure funbike > Track fetishism

Word.

Don't get me wrong, I love tearing around the city. Fun as all get out, but the go-anywhere-do-anything bike trumps that.

Freewheel, fat tires and stand over clearance is your best friend if you feel you are too much pavement's b***h. If it weren't for riding mountainbike in the city I wouldn't have the skills/knowledge I can apply to riding a skinny tired fixed gear up and off curbs or through deep sand /gravely sections.

On a recent ride (Minneapolis to Blaine Velo! Go forum members!) I saw just how much I had learned from the fat tire bike.
I have this friend who delivers sanwiches downtown. He used to run track and play soccer and is therefore quite fast and has calves that look like a boxers fists, yet he lacks certain skills that would allow him to be removed from the ranks of b***hhood.

Countless times (4 or 5) I heard exclaim in discomfort as he rode through pot holes and such without getting out of the saddle and floating through the rough. When we approached a grassy section mu' fu'er actually stopped and walked up. A grassy ditch bisecting the lanes of a highway? Dude walked it.

Points: 1. Skills, skills, skills. Read what those mountain bikers have to say about "cleaning gnarly technical sections" and put that to use. I cleaned a wicked bit of sandy dirt road construction site that was about two blocks long on 700x23's yesterday. When I finished it I sinister grinned at it and flicked it off.

2. Finesse, finnesse, finnesse. Since I tattooed this word into my mind I have been sprinting, skidding, trackstanding and posing less. if i have been posing, I'll hold my bag in slightly different angle. Anyway, I am HOT! And I'm even wearing a helmet.

3. Wear a helmet. You don't want to hear the sound I heard when the side of my head hit the pavement last week. Not only that, but my eyes were wide open on impact. ScaaaaAAAAAAaaarrrrryyyyy!!!!

Go to the library and peep this:
http://shop.bicycling.com/wcsstore/USBICStore//images/120121.jpg
Or buy it. Bicycling magazine is a magazine about bicycles.

fat tire fans, can you offer some tyre recommendations?

1. for 700c skinny rims (ie 19mm rim width)
1a. how fat can tires go on rims such as this? 28mm? 32?

2. for 26" mtb rims--what are good semi-tacky dual-purpose tyres? i have been riding Continental town+country for years, and they are tougher than nearly anything else on the bike, but they weigh a ton and require a special tool to remove and install. Other options you like?

thanks,

Patrick
(frame pump's b1tch)

Propper tire pressure can make up for a lack in finesse.

fat tire fans, can you offer some tyre recommendations?

1. for 700c skinny rims (ie 19mm rim width)
1a. how fat can tires go on rims such as this? 28mm? 32?


I like Panaracer Pasela Tourguards and Conti Top Tourings. Both go up to 42, although I use 37s. Both of these tires are virtually puncture-proof if you mantain proper inflation. Paselas are really inexpensive. I've heard good things about the Michelin Transworld too.

Nearly any tire will go in a 19mm rim. For instance, I've run 37-42mm tires on Open Pros (19.5mm) and it works great. The only slightly larger Salsa Delgado (22mm) will accomodate the largest 29" mtb tire you can find.

fat tire fans, can you offer some tyre recommendations?

2. for 26" mtb rims--what are good semi-tacky dual-purpose tyres? i have been riding Continental town+country for years, and they are tougher than nearly anything else on the bike, but they weigh a ton and require a special tool to remove and install. Other options you like?

thanks,

Patrick
(frame pump's b1tch)

I'm currently really happy with the kenda k-rads in 1.95". They're fifteen bucks from nashbar, they roll nice and quick, and I had no problems at all on fire roads and a little singletrack. Plus, they're called "k-rad". That's cheesy enough to love right there.

Before that, I had pretty good luck with the also-poorly-named continental double fighter.

Have you ever considered that maybe pavement is my *****?

Surly Steamrollers are just asking for fat tires.

I like this bike a lot:

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2005/june/GaryHSRossmiller.htm

Adventure funbike > Track fetishism

i enjoy how the first "detail picture" is just a crappy low resolution zoom-in from the second picture.

Maybe slightly off topic, but:

Anyone have any experience with taking a road frame off road? I've thought about doing a diy SS cross bike by getting a solid steel road frame and fitting it with big tires. Is that all that's needed, or do you really need a bomb-proof cross frame?

Have you ever considered that maybe pavement is my *****?


Now you're talking.

Maybe slightly off topic, but:

Anyone have any experience with taking a road frame off road? I've thought about doing a diy SS cross bike by getting a solid steel road frame and fitting it with big tires. Is that all that's needed, or do you really need a bomb-proof cross frame?

http://www.geocities.com/rayhosler/jobst/jobst.html

Sweetness.